Chapter 204: The Call to the Zombie Kingdom

“Yenir, do you want anything else?”

“As a reward, we can grant one of your requests.”

On the award stage, Li Xuanguo personally affixed a medal onto Yenir and, with a smile, spoke softly.

He believed his stance was clear enough.

Such an unprecedented honor had been imposed against all opposition.

Simply because he always felt that Yenir hid something deep within his heart.

It was a yearning, a sense of urgency that time wouldn’t wait—and perhaps a bit of fear?

Not a hunger for superficial power or better benefits, but rather a desire to take action.

He’d seen that drive only in the older generation of high-ranking officials.

It was reminiscent of the era when senior leaders in China fretted over doomsday and an uncertain future.

He was curious—curious about what secret Yenir harbored that made him so desperate.

“A request?”

As Li Xuanguo spoke, the entire Square fell silent.

“Isn’t this treatment enough? Does the Prime Minister expect Yenir to make an additional request?”

Frankly, it was a bit too much.

After all, no matter how brilliant Yenir’s potential and performance were, he still hadn’t made any substantive contributions to the nation. Being recognized as the best in the world was merely an honor—the benefits were still his.

What further reward could be offered without ruffling others’ feathers?

Facing Li Xuanguo, Yenir was momentarily taken aback, falling into brief silence.

He hadn’t expected the Authorities to provide such a lavish reward, far exceeding his expectations.

If he were to ask for another favor, it would be regarded as overstepping—too greedy.

But…

Remembering Researcher Sun, Yenir decisively spoke:

“I want to attend the Military meeting held every three years!”

The moment his words fell, numerous high-ranking officials were stunned. Even Li Xuanguo gave him an odd look.

A meeting scheduled just ten days later by the Military?

By specifically saying “every three years,” Yenir clearly knew the significance of the next gathering.

As Huaguo’s highest-level triennial meeting, it was attended by the top brass to set national policies and future directions.

But Yenir was only eighteen—what did he know? What practical significance could attending such a meeting have?

After a brief hesitation, Li Xuanguo nodded thoughtfully. Though it was somewhat improper, since he had spoken up, there was no turning back.

“No problem.”

“You already hold the status of Honorary Committee Member, so you can attend as an observer.”

“And if you happen to have a promising proposal, the Military will consider it.”

Lightly patting Yenir’s shoulder, Li Xuanguo let the matter drop.

In his view, Yenir was probably just driven by curiosity.

After all, national policy-making had little to do with raw potential or combat strength—it was purely political and statecraft.

Seeing Li Xuanguo’s approval, Yenir silently exhaled in relief.

Yet he realized that Li Xuanguo seemed oblivious to what he truly intended…

Not merely to observe, or perhaps to have his proposal reviewed…

No—what he wanted was execution!

To find that person and prevent the looming catastrophe, he needed to mobilize at least an entire Military Region!

……..

Trees formed a lush, green canopy.

After passing through six consecutive checkpoints manned by heavy troops, a military-marked SUV slowly rolled into the Grand Yard.

Inside, Yenir listened calmly to an officer’s explanation, nodding every so often.

They had moved from the temporary quarters of the military base to the Grand Yard.

This place would offer him ample protection.

“Yenir, one of your old superiors wants to see you shortly.”

“Keep the details of the conversation confidential.”

Sitting beside him, a solemn Middle-Aged Man assigned to accompany Yenir earnestly instructed him.

After briefly explaining a few matters, the SUV gradually stopped in front of a modest building.

Looking at the unremarkable, slightly dated building,

Yenir keenly noted that it was far more than it appeared.

Fresh from the award ceremony, the Military had whisked him over without a moment’s delay. He was curious about what the officer had alluded to.

Using Mental Energy Detection, he sensed that the ground beneath him had been hollowed out.

Beneath the modest building lay an underground base spanning several kilometers.

Amid hidden auras, more than twenty elite Third-Stage guards were stationed there.

No signage. No information.

Slightly taken aback, even with memories from his past life, he couldn’t determine what this place truly was.

Either it had been decommissioned in the third year of his previous life, or the battle-hardened personnel from earlier conflicts…

………..

“Yenir, you’re here?”

“Sit down. I am Zhou Zhen, Deputy Director of Strategic Affairs for the Third Army of the Special Operations Group!”

Inside a sealed metal room, Yenir maintained a calm gaze as he observed the middle-aged man in uniform. Though he looked ordinary, Yenir sensed his strength was nearly at the Peak Third-Stage.

“Director Zhou, you called me here. Is there something specific you need?”

Yenir asked, his curiosity piqued.

Special Operations Group? He had heard that name before; in his previous life, after becoming Marshal in his third year, he’d come across related records.

However, records showed that the organization’s designation had been revoked around the second year—apparently because its members all perished during a mission.

Without further ado, Zhou Zhen nodded slightly and said,

“Yenir, we’ve summoned you because we have a mission for you.”

“Although you’ve only just reached Third-Stage and normally wouldn’t be considered for such tasks, we couldn’t find anyone more suitable!”

“Of course, if you find the proposal utterly unacceptable after hearing the details, you may decline.”

“After all, your safety is our top priority!”

….

A few minutes later, after hearing Zhou Zhen’s proposal, Yenir raised an eyebrow in surprise.

An intercontinental instance… battling an Awakener from another Battle Zone… the mission includes strategic Military supplies and restricts entry to elite Third-Stage personnel. The Military expects him to lead a small squad to complete the task.

To be honest, after hearing it, he wasn’t too keen on going.

For him, his top priority was to locate Researcher Sun first. The rest of his time was meant for entering his personal instance or hunting mutated creatures elsewhere, leveling up fast, and acquiring the items his memories promised.

An intercontinental instance… Spirit Energy Ore…

He could make the trip—securing Spirit Energy Ore was part of his plan and certainly a strategic resource. But its priority wasn’t that high.

Gazing at Zhou Zhen with a hint of expectation, Yenir pondered for a moment before finally asking:

“Minister Zhou, may I ask what this intercontinental instance entails?”

Seeing no refusal from Yenir, Zhou Zhen exhaled in relief and replied gravely:

“It’s an A-ranked, high-difficulty instance—the Zombie Kingdom!”

“It’s a factional confrontation!”

Hearing the name, Yenir was momentarily stunned. He had been to this instance before.

An intercontinental instance? Competing against Awakener from another Battle Zone? How had he not known in his previous life? And there were no Spirit Energy Ore at all?!

In the next moment, before Yenir could think further, a cold system alert suddenly sounded:

“Beep—Mandatory Task.”

“Please enter the Zombie Kingdom instance and seize top control of the instance!”

“Complete the task to receive an S-ranked strategic weapon: the Airship Mothercraft blueprints [Special].”